By Orapine Augustine Aondofa
The priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City have concluded their annual retreat with renewed strength and spiritual refreshment for the mission ahead.
The retreat, which held from August 24 to 29, 2025 at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin City, was facilitated by His Lordship, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri Diocese.
In his reflections, Bishop Ewherido explained that a retreat is not merely a withdrawal from pastoral duties, but a divine invitation to enter into deeper communion with God. “It is a journey of renewal, akin to Jesus’ time in the desert, where we open ourselves to the Creator so that He may recreate and renew us,” he said. He urged the priests to use the retreat as a time of prayer, silence, reconciliation, and fraternity, drawing strength for their vocation as ministers of Word and Sacraments.
The retreat master anchored his talks on biblical models of vocation, such as Abraham, Samuel, Jeremiah, Peter, and Paul, stressing the privilege of priesthood, the prophetic role of priests, and the call to live in communion with Christ, with brother priests, and with the laity. He also highlighted the dangers of materialism, clericalism, and burnout, calling on priests to remain faithful stewards and shepherds after the heart of Christ.
Speaking on the experience, the Parish Priest of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Alfred Agbonlahor, described the retreat as one of the best in recent years.
“Retreat is a time set aside to spend time with God in prayer and other spiritual exercises. This is years retreat is one of the best because of the presentation of our retreat facilitator. He touched on every aspect of our priestly life and our calling. We have been so blessed and we have been so refilled.” He said
Sometimes we give all our time tending Lord’s sheep and flock and we don’t have time for ourselves, retreat is the time we have for ourselves and we have time for God precisely. God speeks to us, we spend time with him and enjoy his presence.” He added.
Also reflecting, the Dean of Abudu Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. James Chima, noted that the retreat was both refreshing and nourishing. “Our retreat master took us through a lot, he opened our eyes and reminded us of so many things that we should take serious in our vocation and we are very happy to have done this particular retreat, its refreshing and nourishing.” He said.
“Every retreat helps us and reshapes us and gives us strength to continue to forge ahead. Sometimes we get burnout, we get through a lot of crisis and trials and it feels as if we are depreciating but when we go through this retreat and we are fired on with the word of God and prayers and with our brothers priests praying together, we become refreshed to continue to do the word of God.” He added.
The retreat was attended by all priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, led by the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
